Brishbane, 05 October (H.S.): The Australian cockatoo has been chosen as the official emblem for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The cockatoo beat out options including the kangaroo, koala and bin chicken to secure the honour. However, organisers faced an awkward moment after the emblem was inadvertently leaked on social media ahead of its official launch.

Organisers officially unveiled the emblem on Monday. The Olympic emblem features the crest of a pink cockatoo, with its colours designed to evoke the Olympic and Paralympic flames, while its shape draws inspiration from the host state of Queensland. The cockatoo is a distinctive type of large parrot found across Australia and surrounding regions. It is known for its striking crest, vibrant colours and sociable nature. Cockatoos are among Australia’s most recognisable bird species.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said in an official statement that the emblems were a celebration of the city and its way of life. “They represent the Brisbane that people know and love — vibrant, strong, connected, friendly, playful and a little cheeky. They also symbolise the excitement building across our city. With just under six years to go until the Games begin, we have already started preparing to welcome the world to Australia’s lifestyle capital,” he said.

According to the organisers, the emblems also incorporate elements associated with First Nations communities. The cockatoo is regarded as a messenger with cultural significance, connecting people with place, stories and traditions. The emblems are, however, distinct from the Games mascots, which will be unveiled closer to the event.

The emblem was scheduled to be broadcast following the planned unveiling ceremony, but an explanatory video prepared for the occasion was accidentally streamed live for a short period on the event’s YouTube channel on Friday night. Screenshots of the images and text subsequently spread rapidly across social media.

Brisbane 2032 Vice President Tim Mander and Chief Marketing Officer Brent Hill addressed the error at a press conference over the weekend. Hill took a positive view of the unexpected situation, saying, “The publicity has been incredible.”

Ahead of the community launch held on Monday evening at South Bank Parklands, Brisbane 2032 Chair Andrew Liveris said the emblems provided “an opportunity to promote the unique character of the Games and invite the world to learn more about them, visit, invest and be part of an event unlike any other.”

Michaela Cojuangco Jaworski, Chair of the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, described the emblems as a “vibrant expression” of the nature and character of the region.

Brisbane will serve as the main hub for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while competitions will also be held in other Queensland cities, including the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Australia has previously hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice. Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956, followed by Sydney in 2000.

The emblem for the Sydney Olympics reflected iconic features of the city, incorporating representations of the Sydney Opera House, the famous harbour and beaches, along with symbols such as the boomerang, sun and rocks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar